Once Upon a Star!

During my break from blogging things changed dramatically here, I now have an actual job as a Community Development Worker! It is a job a love and builds on the teaching I have done in communities around the county.

It has meant a massive shift in how my family works, I no longer have the freedom to manage my time that I had as a freelance teacher. It has been a major adjustment for us all, but one we have all come through still smiling!

I have been teaching around the hours I work - 3 after school clubs and weekend classes!

My monthly sampler class has just had it's 6th class and we have a selection of gorgeous blocks. We now have the fun job of creating the quilt top and exploring machine quilting. Another round of this class will start in September - more info soon!

Foundation piecing star

I recently met a lovely new student who is coming for patchwork lessons. We will be making a quilt using different star patterns and techniques. It is going to be a fun adventure in piecing.

Part of a Christmas Star

I mentioned the idea to my Saturday class who all asked to give the course a go - and a new class was born!

HST Star

The Once Upon a Star patchwork course will start on Friday 17th April at 10am at GL11 Community Hub in Cam. There are 4 places left if you would like to come along. Just email me too book a place.

It is going to be a wonderful adventure in piecing techniques to create a gorgeous starry quilt!

Monthly Patchwork and Quilting Club!

I teach so many different aspects of sewing, from beginners to dress making, but my true passion is Patchwork and quilting!

One of the lovely students at my class last Saturday came along with her daughter and sent this amazing feedback:

“Just want to say my daughter and I enjoyed the workshop. Anna was a very encouraging and relaxed tutor and her passion for quilting and sewing came across from the very start.“

And she is right -I love spreading fabric and quilting addict wherever I go!

So when the students on Saturday mentioned a monthly group that would teach them how to make different patchwork blocks and then how to take those through to a full quilt, it got me thinking...

I put the idea out on Facebook and for 4/5 people interested in joining within an hour!

So, not one to sit around at all I have been looking for a venue with enough light and space to accommodate 10 people who want to learn patchwork.... and today I booked one!

The Monthly Patchwork Quilting Club will start on Thursday 13th February in St Micheal's Church Hall, Tetbury from 11.30 until 2.30pm!

The aim of the group is to learn how to accurately cut fabrics, how to piece blocks and how to machine quilt a quilt over the next few months.

You do not need any experience, just a willingness to learn and I will give you the skills to make beautiful quilts for your home!

The group will cost £25.00 a month and will included use of equipment, including a sewing machine during the session and support between meetings if needed.

To book your place please email me for a booking form and class joining instructions!

Our First Sewing Day

A couple of months ago the Gloucestershire Modern Quilt Guild was formed!

We are a small group of fabric crazy, quilt lovers who have started meeting once a month for gossip, sewing and sharing ideas.

At the last meeting we decided a sewing day would be a great.... a day spent in the company of lovely new friends, sewing projects and sharing lunch - what more could a fabric addict ask for?

We are meeting in Stonehouse on Monday 20th January for some sewing goodness. Our meetings are open to anyone interested in quilting, including beginners!

Our next evening meeting is Thursday 23rd January at Prema Arts Centre in Uley.

For more information about either of our Guild meetings please email me.

Gloucestershire Modern Quilt Guild - Update

I am so relieved it is Friday...

It has been my first week of a full teaching schedule.

5 classes in 4 locations over 3 days = lots of driving, unpacking, repacking and planning!

And NO sewing for me : (

But the week did start with a high - The very first meeting of the New Gloucestershire Modern Quilt Guild!

It was a small, modest affair with 3 of use discussing fabric shops, quilts and plans for the future.

I firmly believe the saying that from little acorns grow mighty oaks! Starting out small is perfect.

Sonia (Fabric and Flowers), Alison (Making Happiness) and I had a lovely evening chatting about all things fabric whilst munching some lovely biscuits!

We each had some quilting to show and tell. I love seeing other peoples work and gaining inspiration from the ideas. Sharing skills and creating new friendships is what it is all about!

Next month we will meet on Thursday 24th at Prema Arts in Uley. Come along at 7.45pm for some fabric gossip, stitching and new friendships!

Gloucestershire Modern Quilt Guild

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about starting a Modern Quilt Guild in Gloucestershire.

I had a fantastic response and our little group is starting on Monday 16th September at my house in Tetbury!

It was far more than I expected!

We are open to quilters of all experience or interest in starting to quilt.

In October we will start meeting at Prema Arts Centre in Uley on Thursday 24th October at 7.45pm.

If you are interested in joining us please email me on quiltingthegrain@btinternet.com.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Childrens Classes and Parties

At the moment I run an after school club in Tetbury on a Tuesday evening for children aged 8 to 11.

As you can see we have a lot of fun and girls create gorgeous items on the sewing machines!

The girls have worked for 6 weeks on making a patchwork cushion and rightly proud of their work!

In the new year I will be offering sewing birthday parties for children aged 8 to 16.

I will travel to a location of your choice, bringing with me sewing machines, materials and everything needed to make one of the following items:

• Tote Bag
• Pencil case and purse
• Simple Clutch

Each party lasts 3 hours and is packed full of fun, new skills and gossip!

If you would like to book a sewing party in Gloucestershire, drop me an email for more information!